Sunday, 18 October 2015

The Hut Dojo

Hillingdon West London

In 1955 the now famous " Hut Dojo " was a rather humble ` Boys Scouts Hall ` - Ken Williams Sensei a dan grade in Judo started Judo classes - He became the first student for Aikido of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and therefore the first student of British Aikido.From those early humble humble beginnings there would be many legendary Budo teachers both Japanese and British to visit and teach at the Hut Dojo. The dojo had no winter heating and it was the job of Derek Eastman a sixteen year old assistant to all the dan grades to get in the dojo early and sweep the frost off the tatami.Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - Masahilo Nakazono Sensei - Masamichi Noro Sensei - H Kobayashi Sensei - Mutsuki Harada Sensei - Mutsutaro Otani Sensei - Tomio Otani Sensei - TK Chiba Sensei.Sensei's Ken Williams - David Williams - Eric Dollimore - Haydn Foster - Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman - Hamish MacFalane - Lennie Ballard - John Caldwell - Dave Downden.The ` Hut Dojo ` was situated behind the old country ` Hut Pub ` so it was always stagger exhausted from the mat in to the pub for a couple of refreshing beers.The `Hut Dojo` 1958.Front row: second from left Eric Dollimore - Centre: K Abbe & K Williams. Back row: Second left: Robin Otani - Fourth from left Haydn Foster - Second from right: Henry Ellis.

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`Positive Aikido` a perfect `Traditional` Xmas Gift.

Available from Amazon USA & UK - Positive Aikido a true story of Traditional Aikido from its 1950s UK origins with the Budo legend Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. The book written by direct students Henry Ellis Shihan and Derek Eastman Shihan authored by senior USA news editor and student Dave Rogers Sensei. If you are looking for a factual traditional experience ? then this book is for you, then again, if your choice is fantasy Aikido, such as floating around the universe with a touch of magic Ki ? be warned this book is not for you, keep your money or put your money in a charity box. Happy reading – regards Henry Ellis

TK Chiba Sensei's last letter to Henry Ellis - Site Admin.

Extract:

"The reason for this invitation is in recognition of, and respect, for your sincere devotion, commitment and persistence in the cause of British Aikido for over half a century, to begin as pioneers and being the first black belt students in Great Britain recognised by Hombu."

TK Chiba Shihan

Sensei's - K Abbe - M Nakazono - M Noro - K Chiba

AikiWeb Articles- " It Had to be Felt "

True stories of first hand training with the early masters.

Henry Ellis and TK Chiba Shihan." There we were -Two Handsome Young Men "

T K Chiba Shihan and Madam Chiba.

`The Last Pint of Beer`.- R.I.P.Chiba Sensei

Click image - Sadly, this was to be the last visit to the UK and also the last meeting between Henry Ellis and Chiba Sensei at the ` Hut Pub ` ( dojo ) - This would be the last time Chiba Sensei would visit the `Hut` and it would also be the last time that Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman would ever visit the `Hut`. Our personal memories of the 1950s/60s we can relish with pride - yet, we can do nothing for its lost atmosphere.

TK Chiba Sensei 40th UK Celebration Dinner

Click image - Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman were invited as guests on this special occasion by Chiba Sensei - Henry Ellis was invited by Chiba Sensei to be one of the speakers at the event in 2006. Scroll down main page for video of the speech at 40th anniversary of Chiba Sensei's arrival in the UK - 1966 - 2006.

Henry Ellis and TK Chiba Shihan

Click image - It is our intention to offer the students of today and those of the future the true history of Traditional British Aikido from its inception to the UK in 1955 by the legendary Budo Master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985 and the arrival of TK Chiba Sensei to the UK in 1966 - Henry Ellis was the personal assistant of Ken Williams Sensei from 1957 to 1967 - Ellis would later become personal assistant to Chiba Sensei from 1967 to 1972 - a relationship that continued until the death of Chiba Sensei. 5th-June-2015.- R.I.P. Chiba Sensei.

The Book ` Positive Aikido `

Click image - The book `Positive Aikido` written by Dave Rogers - Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman - Positive Aikido literally means Aikido that works - It is a story of traditional aikido from the 1950s under the direction of the legendary Budoka Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

1958 - Butterfly Motif of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei

Click image - The British Judo Council (BJC) was formed in 1958 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Mutsataro Otani Sensei. This was the head council of the `British Aikido Council (BAC) - The British Kendo Council (BKC)

Bracknell Summer School 1968

H Ellis - M Harada - D Eastman

It was good to see Harada Sensei again - We first met Sensei when he came to Britain in 1963 and taught at the Hut Dojo. Harada and Chiba Sensei were great friends.

The Hut Dojo

The Hut dojo was first known as the ` Abbe Judo School ` - Later became well known as the ` The Abbe School of Budo ` it was the birthplace or inception of British Aikido. - It is more well known as simply " The Hut Dojo ".